Brief
The outbreak of avian influenza in Southeast Asia has flu experts concerned that a pandemic is developing that may be severe. Pandemic flu is a global outbreak of disease from a new influenza A virus that is unlike past influenza viruses. Humans would have little or no natural resistance to this new strain of influenza. A vaccine is available for seasonal flu; however, it would take at least six months after a pandemic flu appears for vaccine development.
It is not possible to predict accurately when influenza pandemics will occur or how severe they will be, but it's important to learn about what the Center is doing and what you can do at home and work to prepare. Look for details on pandemic-flu preparation in the March 2 issue of Center News. In the meantime, information is available on the EH&S Web site at centernet.fhcrc.org/CN/depts/ehs under the quick access links.
In the event of emergency situations, including pandemic flu, call the Center's Emergency Hotline at (888) 667-2020 or visit the Center Web site at http://status.fhcrc.org.
